Rebecca P. Dowdle, 109, died June 14, 2012.

She had been a resident of Dahlonega for 2 years.

She was born in Greenville, Ala. in 1903, and was married to Ruble Charles Dowdle of Irvington, Ala. for 31 years until his death in 1960. A native of Alabama, she resided in Irvington and Mobile (Springhill), before moving to Dawsonville in 1984.

She was always active in church and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mobile, Ala. for many years and later a member of the Berean Baptist Church in Dahlonega.

Rebecca taught school fulltime or performed substitute work for 35 years until the death of her husband. Widowed for more than 52 years, Rebecca remained in Mobile and cared for her extended family.

While there, she devotedly cared for her two older sisters in the failing years and provided home care for 10 years for her mother, Virginia Reid Powell, until she passed away at 108 years of age. Rebecca enjoyed the same tenacity and health as her mother, remaining in her own home until the age of 81 before moving to Georgia and living with family.

She also remained active and pursued her own interests. She enjoyed her home, keeping it beautiful with many flowers and with her love of working in the yard. She began recycling many years before the movement became popular in an effort to reuse and restore resources. She often used money from her recycling to give to the poor.

Rebecca was devoted to her faith in Jesus Christ and sought to be found performing good works, whether it was to help a neighbor or to write a letter to her congressman. She will be remembered for her strong beliefs, her willingness to stand upon them and her personal strength.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Ralph Drew of Dawsonville; sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Nellie Dowdle of Mobile, Ala., Walter Reid and Mabel Dowdle of Atlanta, Carleton and Marilyn Dowdle of Dawsonville; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

A visitation was held from 4 to 6 p.m. June 16 at Roper Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial are scheduled for 11 a.m. June 23 at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Bayou La Batre, Ala., with the Dr. Jonathan Lovelady of Jacksonville, Fla. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Dahlonega Care Center, 343 Grove St. N., Dahlonega, GA 30533.

Roper Funeral Home and Crematory of Jasper is in charge of the arrangements.